Assembly and method of coupling pipes

Abstract

A jig assembly and method of use are provided for positioning and re-rounding pipes for welding. The jig assembly comprises a first jaw assembly and a second jaw assembly which position and move a coupling onto one pipe then the second pipe for subsequent welding.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A jig assembly, comprising:
 a first jaw comprising a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion; 
 each of said first jaw portion and said second jaw portion comprising a first end and a second end; 
 said first jaw portion and said second jaw portion each comprising a hinged connection at said second ends; 
 each of said first jaw portion and said second jaw portion comprising a first arcuate segment and a second arcuate segment; 
 a first linkage disposed at the first end of the first jaw portion, and a second linkage disposed at the first end of the second jaw portion, opposite said hinged connection; 
 a jaw actuator disposed between said first linkage and said second linkage to open and close said first jaw portion and said second jaw portion, said jaw actuator disposed opposite said hinged connection; 
 a second jaw comprising a third jaw portion and a fourth jaw portion; 
 each of said third jaw portion and said fourth jaw portion comprising a third end and a fourth end; 
 said third jaw portion and said fourth jaw portion comprising a second hinged connection at said third ends; 
 each of said third jaw portion and said fourth jaw portion comprising a third arcuate segment and a plurality of catch structures extending from a surface of said second jaw facing away from said first jaw, said plurality of catch structures being arranged circumferentially about said second jaw, said plurality of catch structures each having a first segment having a first end connected to said second jaw and a turned segment extending from a second end of said first segment, said turned segment being capable of engaging a flange; 
 a third linkage disposed at the fourth end of the third jaw portion and a fourth linkage disposed at the fourth end of the fourth jaw portion; 
 a second jaw actuator disposed between said third linkage and said fourth linkage to open and close said third jaw portion and said fourth jaw portion, said second jaw actuator disposed opposite said second hinged connection; 
 a first linear actuator extending between the first jaw and the second jaw, said first linear actuator being connected to a hydraulic pump for varying spacing between said first jaw and said second jaw. 
 
     
     
       2. The jig assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second linear actuator disposed opposite said first linear actuator, said second linear actuator connected to said hydraulic pump. 
     
     
       3. The jig assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a first brace extending from one of said first jaw or said second jaw. 
     
     
       4. The jig assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first brace extends from the first jaw and the jig assembly further comprises a second brace extending from the second jaw. 
     
     
       5. The jig assembly of  claim 4 , said first brace and said second brace being respectively connected to said first linear actuator and said second linear actuator. 
     
     
       6. The jig assembly of  claim 1 , said jaw actuator and second jaw actuator being manual actuators. 
     
     
       7. The jig assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one insert disposed along an interior of each of said first jaw portion and said second jaw portion. 
     
     
       8. The jig assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one second insert disposed along an interior of said third jaw portion and said fourth jaw portion. 
     
     
       9. The jig assembly of  claim 1 , said plurality of catch structures extending in a direction away from said first jaw. 
     
     
       10. The jig assembly of  claim 9 , said plurality of catch structures capable of engaging an elbow flange.